Senior co-captain and Lincoln native Trevor Vidlak will not compete at the USD Invite

Photo Courtesy Travis Shafer/NU Media Relations

Courtesy: NU Athletic Communications

10/17/2013

Lincoln - After nearly three weeks off from competition, the Nebraska cross country team travels to the University of South Dakota Invite in Vermillion Saturday. The women’s race starts at 10 a.m., followed by the men’s race.

The meet marks the first races for the Huskers since competing at the Roy Griak Invitational on Sept. 28.

Nebraska Coach David Harris is confident the young group of Husker runners will be ready to compete at a high level Saturday because of the team's challenging practices leading into competition.

“I think we have a little bit of everything, I think we have trained really well for the three weeks. I was happy to have this three week training block set up in our schedule, I would do it again if I have a chance to do so, because I think we have benefitted from some really tough training without a meet facing us,” Harris said, “I would say it has been a grinding time, and we have a few injuries.”

Senior Trevor Vidlak, a co-captain and Lincoln native, is battling through a back injury that has hindered some of his practice time.

“Trevor has a back problem right now so he will not be running this weekend,” Harris said, “He (Vidlak) will be running at the Big Ten Championships (Nov. 3). We are treating it and treating it, but it just needs to run its course. Like I said, he will compete at the Big Ten’s and will give it his best, and I believe he will help our team there.”

The women’s team has gained some ground by training through some difficult practices, and also expects to welcome the return of some of its top runners this weekend.

“On the women’s side, we have had a great three weeks of training and we are getting freshman Anna Peer back. That is going to be a real plus for us on the women’s side,” Harris said. “Sarah Plambeck looks like she will run at this meet after missing previous meets due to injury. I don’t really know if she will be real effective, but just having her out there will be good, and it will give her a chance to make the Big Ten team.”

Harris said he was expecting to see some faster times for the Huskers this weekend on what could be a faster course at South Dakota.

“I think going to South Dakota this week at a somewhat low-key meet, we are just trying to run fast times,” Harris said, “It is a fast course, we are trying to run fast and compete hard against teams that are ranked right around us in the region.”

Full results of the USD Invite will be available following the meet at Huskers.com.